Automatic vacuum system for garment press



March 12, 1957 c. A. KETCHUM ETAL 2,784,509

AUTOMATIC VACUUM SYSTEM FOR GARMENT PRESS Filed Dec. 23, 1952 2 Shets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

Mr W W 6 J 35 Kw a 4 Z N a a my Y B lhv/ March 12, 1957 KETCHUM ETAL 2,784,509

AUTOMATIC VACUUM SYSTEM FOR GARMENT PRESS Filed D80. 23, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 n a m v {I H w y w 6 Z 7 6 M s u 7 [LII mm I|L mm a fiwmw I|| L W 1: 4 4 a gr 7 WI & f I

United States Patent Machinery Company, of Ohio Application December 23, 1952, Serial No. 327,525-

19 Claims. (Cl. 38--15) and John Prendergast, to The American Laundry Cincinnati, .Ohio, a corporation This invention relates to improvements in a garment press and more particularly to an automatic vacuum or equivalent'suction system for a garment press.

One of the objects of'the present invention is to provide a garment press having an automatic means for causing a suction source, such as a vacuum, to be applied to the pressing portion of one pressing member at an appropriate time in the pressing operation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a garment press having an automatic means for causing a suction source to be applied to the pressing buck member after the pressing steam supply has been cut oil.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a garment press having two relatively movable pressing members and having an automatic means for causing a suction source to be applied to one of said pressing members aftermovement of the pressing members out of pressing contact.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a garment press having a stationary pressing buck member and a pressing head member movable into pressing contact'therewith; said garment press having automatic means for causing a suction source to be applied to the pressing portion of the buck member either responsive to opening, of the press when pressing is performed between the pressing members with pressing contact being exerted therebetween or responsive to steam cut-ofi to the buck member when the buck member is being used alone so that application of the suction will follow either mode of pressing.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a garment press having not only the means mentioned in the immediately preceding paragraph but also means preventing the suction application responsive to the cutofi of pressing steam to the buck member While the head member is closed so that said suction application does not occur until after the pressing head member moves out of pressing contact with the buck member.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a garment press having the characteristic mentioned in any one of the foregoing paragraphs and including means for cutting out part or all of the automatic operation characteristic for handling specific situations.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a garment press having any one of the automatic means for causing a suction source to be applied, as mentioned in any one of the foregoing paragraphs, and including means for manually applying thesuction source at any time independently of the automatic means.

A further objectof the present invention is to provide a garment press having structural simpli ity; being inexpensive to manufacture, being compact in nature and performing pressing operations in a desirable manner.

Other features ofthis invention reside in the arrange ment and design of the parts for carrying out their appropriate functions.

Other objects and advantages ofthis invention will be 2 apparent from the accompanying drawings and description and the essential features will beset forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational' view of a garment press having the automatic vacuum .or'suction system of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the pressing head member; while Fig. 3 is a diagram of the'control for the pressing steam and for the application of negative pressure to one of the pressing members by a suction source.

Before the garment press and its control here illustrated is specifically described, it is to be understood that the invention here involved is not limited to the structural details or arrangement of the parts here shown since garment presses embodying the present invention may take various forms. It also is to be understood thatth'e phraseology or terminology herein employed is for purposes of description and not of limitation since the scope of the present invention is denoted by the appended claims.

The garment press in Fig. 1 broadly includes a pressing buck member 10, having. a padded structure and being fixed to a frame 11, and includes a swingable pressing head member 12 secured to the distal end of head lever 13 which lever in turn is pivotally mounted to the frame 11 at pivot 14. The stationary pressing buck member 10 is adapted to support a garment during the finishing or pressing operation while pressing head member 12 is mounted for movement toward and away from said buck member. This pressing head member 12 is swingable between anopen ornormal position spaced from the stationary buck member'l'l), as shown in Fig. 1, anda closed or pressing position exerting a pressing pressure against the stationary buck member 10.

The garment press can press or steam by either of two diiferent modes of operation. First, a closed head mode of pressing operation wherein the garment is pressed when held betweenclosed pressing members 10 and 12. Second, an open head mode of pressing operation wherein the garment is steamed or pressed when supported by the stationary buck member 10 while head member 12 is kept in its elevated position out'of contact with the garment.

Structure is provided for pressing a garmentby the first or head closed mode of operation with pressing members 10 and'12 in closed position and exerting a pressing pressure against each other. Inlet and'outlet steam lines 16, 17 supply and exhaust heating steam to the pressing portion of the buck member 10 while inlet and outlet flexible steam lines 18 and 19 supply and exhaust heating steam to the pressing portion of the head member 12 from a suitable source of steam (not shown). The pressing portion of the head member 12 is foraminous and receives article treating or pressing steam as required through means of a standard steam valve 20 operable by lever 21 having two finger bars 21a, 21b.

In this first or head closed mode of pressing operation, mechanism is provided for moving the pressing head member 12 between the open and closedpositions. It includes a toggle wherein the lo'wertoggle link is formed by the generally upwardly extending arm of a bell crank 25 and the upper toggle link is formed by toggle link 26 pivotally connected to the bell crank 25 at pivot 28.

The bell crank 25 is pivotally connected at 27 to the frame 11 while its laterally extending arm is pivotally connected to a power means 29, such as the illustrated fluid pressure operated power cylinder, formoving the pressing head member 12from itsopen position in Fig. 1 to "a closed position and for exerting pressing' pres'sure against the stationary pressing buck member 10. The

upper toggle link 26 is pivotally connected to the head lever 13 at pivot point 30. i This pivot point 30 is adjustable to allow for varying the compression between the pressing members 10, 12 and for compensating for worn padding on the buck member or head member or 12. Pivot point is at the end of an adjustment lever 31 pivoted within the head lever 13 at the pivot point 32 and'is adjustable by means of adjustment screw 34 threaded into the head lever 13.

Main spring 35 serves to normally hold the head member 12 in, or to move it to, the open position shown in Fig. 1. However, this swingable pressing head member 12 can be easily moved from its open position to its working position wherein it exerts a pressing pressure against the buck member 10. Although the pressing head member 12- could be manually lowered to light pressing contact, the usual mode of lowering the pressing member 12 into pressing position is by actuating control handle 36 on the head lever 13. This actuation causes pressure to be exerted by the power means 29 for advancing the head member 12 toward the stationary buck member 10 and for exerting a pressing pressure therebetween. When the head member is closed, the finger bar 21b for controlling steam admission is conveniently located with respect to the operators hand holding down the control handle 36. When the power supply to the power means 29 is cut oil? by releasing the control handle 36, the head member 12 swings upwardly into the open position shown in Fig. 1 since spring 37 acts to start the opening movement by breaking the almost straight toggle formed by bell crank 25 and toggle link 26 while main spring 35 continues the movement of the head member 12 toward the open position and then normally holds the head member in this open position.

A snubber 39, pivotally connected at opposite ends to the toggle link 26 and bell crank 25 for controlling the movement of the press head member 12, provides quiet and smooth operation of the press.

The press can also be used for steaming parts of a garment when the pressing members 10 and 12 are in their open position as shown in Fig. 1. This is the second or head open mode of pressing operation. When steam is applied to a garment on the buck member 10 (with the head member 12 open in the Fig. 1 position), the line or pipe 40 is used and is in fluid communication with the foraminous pressing portion of the buck member 10 and the steam line 44 (Fig. 3) from a source of pressing steam. This line 40 serves to introduce and exhaust steam and, as will be brought out in more detail hereinafter, to apply a suction source to the foraminous pressing portion of the buck member 10. Steam is admitted to the buck member 10 by actuation of the pivotally mounted foot actuated pedal 41 connected to normally closed steam valve 43 by connecting link 42.

There is also another mode of head open pressing operation that is not too important in the present invention but will be discussed briefly. A garment may be steamed by holding it under the head member 12 when the press is in the Fig. 1 open position. Then, the finger bar 21a may be actuated to admit steam to the head member 12,to avoid inadvertent operation of the control handle 36 for closing the press.

The present invention is more specifically concerned with the automatic control means for causing a suction source, such as a vacuum, to be applied within the vforaminous pressing portion of the buck member 10 at the appropriate time in the pressing operation, such as after the pressing members 10 and 12 move out of pressing contact in the first or closed head mode of pressing operation and/or after steam valve 43 has been operation. This suctionsource will cause a stream of drying air to bedrawn fro'm'the atmosphere through the 4 garment on the buck member 10 to set it permanently in'the desired form or shape after the steam pressing and before any chance occurs of disturbing the lay of the garment on the buck member 10. In Fig. 3, a pipe 46 is connected in fluid communication with a suction source such as a vacuum, by steam and suction line 40 to the foraminous pressing portion of the buck member 10 upon the opening of the suction control valve 47 normally biased to its closed position by spring This suction control valve 47 is opened at the appropriate time after steam pressing has been completed. When the pressing members 10 and 12 are moved away from each other after pressing a garment therebetween, suction control valve 47 is opened to apply the suction source to the foraminous pressing portion of the buck member 10. When only the buck member 10 is used for pressing and the head member 12 is open, the release of actuating pedal 41 for closing buck steam valve 43 will cause the application of the suction source to the buck member.

It should be understood that the automatic control means of the present invention for applying a suction source to the buck member at the appropriate time not only may be built into a new pressing machine but also may be adapted for installation as an accessory on an existing garment press, either foot powered or the new air operated type.

When the pressing members 10 and 12 are brought together in pressing a garment in the first or closed head "closed in' the second or open head mode of pressing r mode of pressing operation, the means for controlling the suction source and applying it to the buck member is operated in this manner. When the press head member 12 closes, an automatic timer operated control means is set in readiness by automatically presetting the control means for timing action; and when the head member 12 begins to open, the suction source is applied for a predetermined time period to the buck member 10 by automatically starting the timing action.

In the closed head mode of pressing operation, the pre setting for timing action takes place in the following manner. Fluid pressure or other equivalent actuating means is used to perform the necessary press operation.

Although this fluid may take the form of hydraulic liquid, gas, or air, the present disclosure will describe only air pressure but it should be understood that other fluids couldbe used. The compressed air from a compressed air source travels through air line 49 and air line 50 after which it is held by normally closed air valve 51 in Fig. 3. This combination valve 51 is secured to the press frame 11 in such a position that it is operated by the bell crank 25 when the head member 12 moves counterclockwise in Figs. 1 and 3 to close the press. As the press closes, bell crank 25 presses against the center stem of air valve 51 to open it against the bias of its spring (while the stem prevents exhaust through port 51a) so that the compressed air travels through air line 52 to a valve port 53a in a slide shuttle valve 53'to move a reciprocable, slidably mounted valve piston 53b of said valve against the seat at the opposite valve port 53c to seal off this latter valve port. Normally, this valve piston 53b will be against either valve port 530 or valve port 53c at one side of the valve or the other since the only force acting upon it is the compressed air entering the slide shuttle valve 53. The compressed air goes through valve port 53d to diaphragm 54 to close the normally open air valve 55 by raising its central stem. Compressed air also goes through valve port 53e, through air line 56 to the inlets of two parallel, needle-check valves 57, 58 with each valve being ofidentical construction. These valves are of the conventional type that are readily commercially available; each valve permits unrestricted air flow in one direction but restricts the flow in the reverse direction by a needled orifice. A three-way selector valve 59, includ-' ing two alternate path positions and a cut-01f position, is here manually set by handle 59a in position toprovide a passage from needle-check valve 58 but to cut off needle-check valve 57. Compressed air goes through needle-check valve 58 unimpeded by lifting the gravity closed ball check 58a and then travelling through selector valve 59, through air line 60 to a storage tank 61 wherein the air is stored under compression. It is prevented from escaping from the tank 61 since normally open valve 55 is now being held closed with its stem inthe elevated position since air pressure exists against the lower surface of diaphragm 54.

In theclosed head mode of pressing operation, starting the timing action and'applicat-ion of the suction source to the foraminous pressing portion of buck member next occurs. As the head member 12 is swung clockwise about its pivotal mounting 14 from its closed position toward its open position shown in Fig. 1, bell crank is moved out of contact with the stemv of air valve 51 so that this valve will assume its normally closed position. Closing air valve 51 cuts off compressed air to the slide shuttle valve 53 so that diaphragm 54 contracts or lowers to open the normally open valve 55. Opening valve 55 permits compressed air from storage tank 61 to enter servomotor or air cylinder 62. This compressed air raises the piston in the servomotor 62 to open in turn the suction control valve 47 against the resistance of its closing spring 48 so that steam and suction line 40 from the foraminous pressing portion of the buck member 10 is thereby put into fluid communication with the suction line 46 connected to the suction source, such as a vacuum. concomitantly, the compressed air in storage tank 61 has begun to bleed out of the lower end of the tank through air line 60, selector valve 59, the needled orifice 58b of needle-check valve 58 since ball check 58a will not permit reverse flow, air line 56, valve port 532, slide shuttle valve 53, valve port 53a, air line 52, normally closed valve 51 and the normally open exhaust port 51a of the last mentioned valve. The rate of air bleed from storage tank 61 is determined by the adjustment of the threaded stem in the needled orifice 58b of the needleeheck valve 58. The needled orifice is set so that the pressure in the servomotor 62 drops after a given predetermined time interval has elapsed and allows the suction control valve 47 to close under the bias of its spring 48 to cut off the suction source. In one installation valves 57 and 58 are set to give one second and three seconds respectively and selection is made at valve 59.

It should now readily be apparent that the 'press disclosed in the present application has an automatic timer operated control means for controlling the suction source and for applying it to the buck member 10 for only a predetermined but adjustable time period after the start of timing action. The timing action is caused by the compressedair in storage tank 61-and servomotor 62 bled out at a predetermined rate though needle-check valve 57 or 58. Means is provided for automatically presetting for the timing action responsive to the movement of the pressing head member 12 toward the buck member 10 and this means includes the bell crank 25, air valve 51 and the other associated structure for causing compressed air to be stored in the storage tank 61. Means is provided for automatically starting the timing action responsive to the movement of the head member 12 away from the buck member 1t"! and includes bell crank 25, airvalve 51 and the associated structure causing air flow to the servomotor 62 for opening the valve 47 from'the suction source so that the timing action can operate the suction control valve 47. The description in this paragraph of the broad mode of operation applies not only to the first or closed head mode of pressing operation but also, as will be brought out in more detail hereinafter, to the second or open head mode of pressing operation.

When steam is applied to a garment on the buck member 10 for pressing by the second or open head mode of pressing operation wherein the head member 12 is always kept in the open position shown'in' Fig.v l, depressing-the pivotally mounted foot pedal 41 not only willadmit press ing steam to the buck member 10 but also will preset the control means for timing action so that release of foot pedal 41 will start the timing action to automatically apply the suction source to the foraminous pressingportion of buck member 10. Presetting the timer by depression of the foot pedal 41 will be first described. Compressed air from the source goes through the air line 49, air line 66, cut-off valve 67, and air line 68 to the normally closed air valve 69 where it is held. Now, when the press is open the garment or other article to be steamed is on the buck member 10, foot pedal 41 is depressed, as mentioned before, to open steam valve 43 by pushing link 42 upwardly so that the pressing steam goes into the combined steam and negative pressure line 40 and up into the foraminous pressing portion of the buck member 10. The pressing pedal 41'has also opened normally closed air valve 69 to admit compressed air through air line '70 to inlet port 530 of the slide shuttle valve 53 to move the piston 53b to the right against the seat of valve port 53a to cut off air flow into or out of the last mentioned port. Of course, if valve piston 53b is already located in this position, the air pressure will merely hold it there. T he compressed air travel and the function of remainder of the apparatus is then exactly the same as it was in the previously described first or closed head mode of operation wherein normally closedcombination valve 51 is opened and closed by bell crank 25 in response to the lowering and raising of the pressing head member 12. When pedal 41 is released, it closes air valve 69. Therefore, the opening and closing of air valve 69 corresponds with the previously described opening and closing of air valve 51 to preset the control means for timing act-ion and subsequently to release it for opening the reduced pressure control valve 47 to apply a suction source to the buck member for a measured, predetermined period. Both air valves 51 and 69 are identical in that each is normally closed to cut off the air pressure supply from the sourceand to provide a normally open exhaust 51a or 69a; each valve when actuated closes the exhaust while permitting compressed air to flow from the source to slide shuttle valve 53. In the first or closed head mode of pressing operation described with relation to air valve 51, the control means was preset for timing action by the movement of the head member 12 toward the buck member 10 in closing the press and was released by .the movement of the head member 12 away from the buck member 10 toward the open position shown in Fig. 1. In the second or open head mode of pressing operation wherein only the buck member 10 is used for steaming or pressing and wherein air valve 69 is opened and closed, the timer is automatically preset in response to the opening of air valve 69 and steam valve 43 and is automatically released in response to the closing of these two last men-' tioned valves.

It should be readily apparent that air valves 51 and 69 have the same function and that the valve piston 53b of slide-shuttle valve'53 simply serves to seal oil the port 53a or 53c not being used so as to prevent: the exhausting of compressed air there. Therefore, it should readily 'be apparent that it is not a function of valve piston 53b of slide shuttlevalve 53 to open or close the valve ports 53d and 532. It therefore follows that if only the first or closed head mode'ofpressing operation is desired wherein the apparatus is controlled by the closing and opening of the head member 12, air line 52 could be directly connected to the valve controlling diaphragm 54 and the air line 56 without the necessity of having slide shuttle valve 53. A similar arrangement could be used if thepress were always operated in its second or open head mode of pressing operation and the garment were steamed by only buck member 10 so that air line 70 could be connected directly to the diaphragm 54 and airline 56. Therefore, it is readily apparent that the slide shuttlewalve 53 links the apparatus for incorporating into one garment press the two different modes of operation with the common structure for presetting, starting and performing the timing action.

The length of time that the suction source is applied to the buck member 10 for either mode of pressing operation may be adjusted to correspond with the type of fabric being pressed or steamed. The needled orifices 57b and 58b can each be varied in size by screwing in or out the threaded needle member controlling its orifice. Generally, the two needle-check valves 57, 58 are respectively set to give about one second and three second periods of application of suction, such as a vacuum, to the buck member 10 to handle light materials such as silk, as well as heavy materials such as woolens, etc, respectively. Then, selector valve 59 can readily be manually turned to select the time desired for the application of the suction source to the buck member 10 in accordance with the work coming through.

Means is provided so that release of foot pedal 4.1 when the pressing members 10 and 12 are in closed position in the first or closed head mode of operation will not start the timing action for applying a suction source to the buck member 10 but only the opening of the press and the consequent closing of air valve 51 by disengagement with the bell crank will cause the start of the timing action and application of the suction. When the press is closed and both air valves 51 and 69 are open, the release of foot pedal 41 with the resulting closing of air valve 69 and exhausting through its exhaust port 69a 9 will not start the timing action slnce air pressure Will be maintained within the slide shuttle valve 53 through air lines 49, and '52 since air valve 51 is held open by bell crank 25. The press head member 12 must be lifted by clockwise rotation of bell crank 25 to open air valve 51 with the consequent start of the timing action for the application of suction to the 'buck member 10.

Therefore, it also follows that if pressing steam is admitted to only the buck member 10 but not head member 12 during the first or closed head mode of pres-sing operation, then steam valve 43 is not only a first valve means for shutting ofi or admitting pressing stream to buck member 10 when the press is closed in the first mode of operation but also a second valve means for shutting off or admitting steam to buck member 10 when the press is open in the second mode of operation. It should be apparent that during the first or closed head mode of pressing operation, three different methods of steam pressing are available by the following valve combinations: (1) steam valve 20 alone, (2) steam valve 43 alone, or (3) both steam valves 20 and 43. Any one of these three valve combinations may be used as said first valve means for shutting off or admitting pressing steam to at least one of said pressing members when the press is closed.

Sometimes, when steaming material on the buck member 10 in the second or open head mode of pressing operation, it is preferable to use no following suction although it may still be desirable to use the suction when pressing with the head member 12 in its closed position in the first or closed head mode of pressing operation. For instance, no following suction may be desirable when steaming certain materials like velvet on the buck member 10 when the open head mode of pressing is used because the operator will steam and brush the cloth, and if a suction were applied, it would draw lint down into the fabric. Therefore, an easily accessible cut-off valve 67 is pro vided between the air lines 66 and 68 leading to the foot pedal operated air valve 69 so that operation of the foot pedal 41 in opening and closing the steam valve 43 will have no effect on suction control valve 47 from the suction source since no air pressure will be supplied to the air valve 69.

If the application of suction or vacuum need be temporarily suspended for any reason for both modes .of

pressing, the open head and closed head, the handy selector valve 59 can be manually rotated to cut-off position for cutting off air line 60 from both needle-check valves 57, 58 to prevent presetting the control for and starting the timing action as long as selector valve 59 is kept in this position. Since opening and closing air valves 51 and 69 will have no effect on the normally closed suction control valve 47 controlling the application of suction, neither raising and lowering head member 12 nor actuating of foot pedal 41 will be followed by the application of: suction to "the buck member 10.

The suction source can be manually applied at any time to the foraminous pressing portion of buck member 10 in either mode of pressing operation irrespective of the automatic control described heretofore. Pivotally mounted foot operable pedal 73 can be depressed to elevate the servomotor cylinder 62 so that it then acts as a rigid link to elevate and open the normally closed suction control valve 47 against the bias of the spring 48 for applying the suction to the buck member 10. However, abutment screw 73a holds the pedal 73 against the downward reaction of the servomotor '62 when the latter is being controlled by the air operated timing action in its normal manner in automatic operation by compressed air flowing from the storage tank 61.

If after starting the timing action for applying the suction source to the buck member in either mode of operation, the press operator notices that there is a' wrinkle forming in the pressed fabric by the vacuum or suction source drawing the drying air through the fabric, the vacuum or suction can be terminated instantly instead of running the full time period determined by either needled orifice 57b or 58b. Termination is accomplished simply by again depressing the foot pedal 41 so that the cooperating air valve 69 causes the diaphragm 54 to be raised by air pressure, as previously described, so that it will close the normally open valve 55 to cut off the air flow connection between air pressure storage tank 61 and servomotor 62. Then, the air in servomotor 62 immediately exhausts through the exhaust port 55a of the closed valve 55 so that spring 48 will cause suction control valve 47 to close. Therefore, foot pedal 41 can be manually operated to cut off the application of suction at any time after the starting of the timing action but before the end of the predetermined time period for application of the suction to the buck member 10.

' Various changes in details and arrangement of parts can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

l. A press for finishing garments comprising a pressing member for supporting a garment during finishing, said pressing member having a foraminous pressing portion-adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a source of steam for pressing purposes, a valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting off or admitting pressing steam to said pressing member including valve shut-off means, said foraminous portion of said pressing member adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a suction source for drawing air through the garment on said pressing member at the end of the steaming operation, and means responsive to actuation of said valve shut-ofif means for establishing fluid passage communication between said suction source and said pressing member.

2. A press for finishing garments comprising a pressing member for supporting a garment during finishing, said pressing member having a foraminous pressing portion adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a source of steam for pressing purposes, a valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting off or admitting pressing steam .to said pressing member, said foraminous portion of said pressing member adapted to ber-connected in fluid communication with a suction source for drawing air through the garment on said pressing member at the end of the steaming operation, automatic timer operated control means for applying the suction source to said pressing member for only a predetermined time period after the start of timing action, means for automatically presetting the control means for timing action responsive to the opening of said valve means, and means for automatically starting the timing action, responsive to the closing of said valve means.

3. A press for finishing garments comprising a buck member for supporting a garment during finishing, a head member mounted. for relative movement toward said buck member into a closed position for exerting a pressing pressure against said buck member and away from said buck member into an open position including a press opening means, at least one of said members including said buck member adapted to be connected in fluidcommunication with a source of steam for pressing purposes, a first valve meansin said fluid communication path for shutting off or admitting pressing steam to at least one of said members when the press is closed including the valve shut-01f means, a second valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting ofi? or ad mitting pressing steam to said buck member when the press is open, at least said buck member adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a suction source for drawing air through the garment on said buck member at the end of the steaming operation, means responsive to actuation of said valve shut-off means when the press is open for establishing fluid passage communication between said suction source and said buck member, and means responsive to said press opening means during press opening for establishing fluid passage communication between said suction source and said buck member.

4. A press for finishing garments comprising a buck member for supporting a garment during finishing, a head member mounted for relative movement toward said buck member into a closed position for exerting a pressing pressure against said buck member and away from said buck member into an open position, at least one of said members including said buck member adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a source of steam for pressing purposes, a first valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting off or admitting pressing steam to at least one of said members when the press is closed, a second valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting off or admitting pressing steam to said buck member when the press is open, at least-said buck member adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a suction source for drawing air through the garment on said buck member at the end of the steaming operation, automatic timer operated control means for controlling the suction source of reduced pressure and for applying it to said buck member for only a predetermined time period after the start of timing action, means for automatically presetting the control means for timing action responsive to the movement ofrsaidhead member toward said buck member and said closed position, means for automatically starting the timing action responsive to the movement of said head member awayfrom said buck member toward said open position,- means for automatically presetting the control means for timing action:responsive to the opening of said second valvemeans when said head member is in said open position, and means for automatically starting the timing action responsive to the closing of said second valve means when said head member is in said open position.

5. A press for finishing garments comprising a buck member for supporting agarment during finishing, a head member mounted for relative movement toward said buck member into a closed position for exerting a pressing pressure against said buck member and away from said buck member into an open position, at least one of said members including said buck member adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a source of steam for pressing purposes, a first valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting off or admitting press ing steam to at least one of saidmembers when the pressis closed, a second valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting 011? or admitting pressing steam to said buck member when the press is open, at least said ing the timing action responsive tothe movement of said head member away from said buck member toward said open position, means for automatically starting the timing action responsive to the closing of said second valve means when said headmember is in said open position, and means for rendering said last mentioned means ineffective to apply suction to said buck member when said members are in said closed position.

6. A press for finishing garments comprising a buck member for supporting a garment during finishing, a headmember mounted for relative movement toward said buckmember into a closed position for exerting a pressing pressure against said buck member and away from said buck member into an open position, at least one of said members including said buck member adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a source of steam for pressing purposes, a first valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting off or admitting pressing steam to at least one of said members when the press is closed, asecond valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting off or admitting pressing steam to said buck member when the press is open, at least said buck member adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a suction source for drawing air through the garment on said buck member at the end of the pressing operation, automatic timer operated control means for controlling the suction source and for applying it to said buck member for only a predetermined time period] after the start of timing action, a firstmeans for automatically'presetting the control means for timing action responsive to the movement of said head member toward said buck member and said closed position, a first means for automatically starting the timing action responsive to the movement of said headmember away from said buck member toward said open position, a second means for automatically presetting the control means for timing action responsive to the opening, of said second valve means when said head member is in said open position, and a second means for automatically starting thetiming action responsive to the closing of said second valve means when said head member is in said open position, means rendering said last mentioned second means for starting timing action inelfective to apply suction to said buck member when said members are in said closed position.

7. A press for finishing garments comprising a buck member for supporting a garment during finishing, a head member mounted for relative movement toward said buck member into a closed position for exerting a pressing pressure against said buck member and away from said buck member into an open position, at least one of said members including said buck member adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a source of steam for pressing purposes, a first valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting off or admitting pressing steam to at least one of said members when the press is closed, a second valve means in said fluid communication path for shuttingoff or admitting pressing steam to said buck member when the press is open, at least said buck member adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a suction source for drawing air through the garment on said buck member at the end of the pressing operation, automatic control means controlling the suction source and being responsive to the movement of said head member away from said buck member toward said open position and being responsive to the closing of said second valve means when said head member is in said open position for applying the suction source to said buck member for a time period, and manually operable means for applying-the suction at any time independent of said automatic timer operated control means.

8. A press for finishing garments comprising a buck member for supporting a garment during finishing, a head member mounted for relative movement toward said buck member into a closed position for exerting a pressing pressure against said buck member and away from said buck member into an open position, at least one of said members including said buck member adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a source of steam for pressing purposes, a first valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting off or admitting pressing steam to at least one of said members when the press is closed, a second valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting off or admitting pressing steam to said buck member when the press is open, at least said buck member adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a suction source for drawing air through the garment on said buck member at the end of the pressing operation, automatic control means controlling the suction source and being responsive to the movement of said head member away from said buck member toward said open position and being responsive to the closing of said second valve means when said head member is in said open position for applying the suction source to said buck member for a time period, and manually operable means for cutting off the application of suction at any time.

9. A press for finishing garments comprising a buck member for supporting a garment during finishing, a head member mounted for relative movement toward said buck member into a closed position for exerting a pressing pressure against said buck member and away from said buck member into an open position, at least one of said members including said buck member adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a source of steam for pressing purposes, a first valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting ofl or admitting pressing steam to at least one of said members when the press is closed, a second valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting off or admitting pressing steam to said buck member when the press is open, at least said buck mem- 5 her adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a suction source for drawing air through the garment on said buck member at the end of the pressing operation,

automatic timer operated control means for controlling the suction source and for applying it to said buck member for only a predetermined time period after the start of timing action, means for automatically starting the timing action responsive to the movement of said head member away from said buck member toward said open position, means for automatically starting the timing action responsive to the closing of said second valve means when said head member is in said open position, and manually operable means for cutting off the application of suction after starting of the timing action but before the end of said predetermined time period.

' 10. A press for finishing garments comprising a buck member for supporting a garment during finishing, a head member mounted for relative movement toward said buck member into a closed position for exerting a pressing pressure against said buck member and away from said buck member into an open position, at least one of said members including said buck member adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a source of steam for pressing purposes, a first valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting off or admitting pressing steam to at least one of said members when the press is closed, a second valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting otf or admitting pressing steam to said buck member when the press is open, at least said buck member adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a suction source for drawing air through the garment on said buck member at the end of the pressing operation, automatic timer operated control means controlling the suction source and applying it to said buck member for only a predetermined time period after the start of timing action, means for automatically starting the timing action responsive to the movement of said head member away from said buck member toward said open position, means for automatically starting the timing action responsive to the closing of said second valve means when said head member is in said open position, and manually operable means for rendering one of said last mentioned automatic timing action starting means ineffective to apply suction to said buck member at the will of the press operator.

11. In a press for finishing garments having relatively movable pressing members and having means for causing relative approach and separating movement of said members and having means for steaming a garment on one of said members, one of said members having a foraminous pressing surface, means for applying a suction of air through said pressing surface from the outside inwardly; the combination therewith of a pressure fluid tank connected in fluid pressure exerting relationship with the suction applying means for operation thereof, pressure fluid supply and exhaust pipe means communicating with said tank and controlled by supply and exhaust valves respectively, means operatively connected with said approachmovement-causing means for causing opening of said supply valve, means responsive to said separating-movementcausing means for causing operation of said suction applying means by the pressure fluid in said tank and for causing opening of said exhaust valve, and means responsive to emptying of said tank for stopping operation of said suction applying means.

12. In a press for finishing garments having relatively movable pressing members and having means for causing relative approach and separating movement of said members and having means for steaming a garment on one of said members, one of said members having a foraminous pressing surface, means for applying a suction of air through said pressing surface from the outside inwardly; the combination therewith of a pressure fluid tank connected in fluid pressure exerting relationship with the suction applying means, pressure fluid supply and exhaust pipe means communicating with said tank and controlled by supply and exhaust valves respectively, means operatively connected with said garment steaming means for causing opening of said supply valve by garment steaming operation thereof, and means operable by and responsive to termination of garment steaming by said garment steaming means for causing operation of said suction applying means by the pressure of fluid in said tank and for'causing opening of said exhaust valve for stopping said suction applying means.

13. The combination of claim 11 wherein said suction means includes a pipe communicating between said foraminous pressing surface of a pressing member and a source of suction, a normally closed valve in said line, a servomotor for opening said valve and for receiving pressure fluid from said tank responsive to said separating-movement-causing means.

14. The combination of claim 12 wherein said suction means includes a pipe communicating between said -f0- raminous pressing surface of a pressing member and a source of suction, a normally closed valve in said line, a servo-motor for opening said valve and for receiving pressure fluid from said tank responsive to steaming termination movement of said garment steaming means, manual means for opening said normally closed valve,

13 V and said servo-motor providing a mechanical link in said manual means.

15. A press for finishing garments comprising a pressing member for supporting a garment during finishing, said pressing member having a foraminous pressing portion adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a source of steam for pressing purposes, a valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting off or admitting pressing steam to said pressing member, said foraminous portion of said pressing member adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a suction source for drawing air through the garment on said pressing member at the end of the steaming operation, and automatic control means controlling the suction source and applying it to said one member for a time period responsive to shut off of said valve means, said automatic control means comprising a pressure fluid tank, pressure fluid supply and exhaust pipe means communicating with said tank and controlled by supply and exhaut valves respectively, means operatively connected with said steam valve means for causing opening of said supply valve responsive to opening said steam valve, and means responsive to closing of said steam valve means for applying said suction source by the pressure fluid in said tank and for causing opening of said exhaust valve for emptying said tank to shut ofi said suction source.

16. A press, as set forth in claim 2, wherein at least one of said last two mentioned means is fluid pressure actuated.

17. A press for finishing garments comprising a buck member for supporting a garment during finishing, a head member mounted for relative movement toward said buck member into a closed position for exerting a pressing pressure against said buck member and away from said buck member into an open position, at least one of said members adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a source of steam for pressing purposes, a valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting off or admitting pressing steam to said one member when the press is closed including valve shut-01f means, one of said members adapted to be connected in fluid communi cation with a suction source for drawing air through the garment at the end of the steaming operation, fluid pressure actuated vacuum controlling means, and fluid pressure conveying means operatively connecting said vacuum controlling means and said valve shut-01f means for actuating said vacuum controlling means in response to actuation of said valve shut-ofi means for establishing fluid passage communication between said suction source and its associated member.

18. A press for finishing garments comprising a buck member for supporting a garment during finishing, a head member mounted for relative movement toward said buck member into a closed position for exerting a pressing pressure against said buck member and away from said buck member into an open position, at least one of said members adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a source of steam for pressing purposes, a valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting off or admitting pressing steam to said one member when the press is closed including valve shut-off means, one of said members adapted. to be connected in fluid communication with a suction source for drawing air through the garment at the end of the steaming operation, and fluid pressure actuated vacuum controlling means responsive by said fluid to said valve shut-off means for establishing fluid passage communication between said suction source and its associated member; said vacuum controlling means having timing means for applying the vacuum during only a predetermined time period, including a normally closed suction valve for controlling suction application, a fluid actuated servo-motor for opening said suction valve, a tank, timing orifice means for controlling the rate of fluid flow, and means operatively connecting said servo-motor, tank and timing orifice means for controlling by fluid flow the time period of vacuum application.

19. A press for finishing garments comprising a press ing member for supporting a garment during finishing, said pressing member having a foraminous pressing portion connected to a fluid communication path adapted to be connected with a source of steam for pressing purposes, a steam valve means in said fluid communication path for shutting off or admitting pressing steam to said pressing member, said foraminous portion of said pressing member adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a suction conducting means for drawing air through the garment on said pressing member at the end of the steaming operation, suction control means for controlling the application of suction through said conducting means, fluid pressure actuated control means connected to said suction control means, and means responsive to the shutting olt of said steam valve means and operatively connected with said fluid pressure actuated control means for actuating said suction control means for applying said suction to said foraminous member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

